This chapter is for Lyra Albo!
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Vow
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"This is my brother Alexandrei de Vera. Xan, they are Anne's parents." Pinakilala ko ang kapatid ko sa mga magulang ni Anne. Nakita ko ang pagkagulat sa mga mata ni Anna Martin.
"Alexandrei? Are you related to Franco de Vera of De Vera Industry?"
"Yes, ma'am. He was my father." Magalang na yumuko ang kapatid ko. Nag-abot naman ito ng kamay sa ama ni Anne. "It's nice to see you again, Mr, Martin. I'm glad you came to my brother's wedding."
Tumikhim ang ito at tinanggap ang kamay ng kapatid ko. "As if I have a choice." Mahinang sabi nito.
Pinigilan kong mapangisi. Yes, Sir. I won't give you any other choices. I'm marrying your daughter whether you like it nor. An objection is going to be useless. I suggest that you let your guards down and let me marry your princess.
Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin ng Mommy ni Anne sa akin at kay Xandrei. "I'm sorry but I can't contain my curiosity. How did you two become brothers?" Litong tanong nito.
"I was Franco de Vera's son outside his marriage." Sagot ko. Napatingin sa akin si Xandrei na parang hindi niya nagustuhan ang sinabi ko.
"You're still a de Vera." Marahan ngunit mariing sabi ni Xandrei. "I'm sorry for my brother's way of answering, ma'am. He's not really good at it, must be his weakest point. He's always like that, degrading himself. I wished I could change the way you think of him. His words doesn't mix with his action most of the time-"
Kunot-noo ko siyang siniko. "Hey, stop it." Stupid, Xandrei. What was he planning to do?
Ngumiti lang siya nang nakakaloko sa akin. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin bago bumaling sa mga magulang ni Anne. Her mother's smile was soft and gentle. Nakatingin siya sa akin na parang may ipinaparating. While Daniel Martin's face was blank and unreadable. Mukhang dapat na akong masanay.
I would rather like it this way than treating me with fake adoration and fondness. I won't change the way they think about me. Ang gusto ko ay kusang magbago ang tingin nila sa akin at makita nilang totoo ang nararamdaman ko para kay Anne.
Speaking of Anne, tapos na kaya sila? Sa naisip ko ay bigla akong nakaramdam ng kaba. I'm excited yet it also feels like my heart was going to explode any minute from now.
"We have two other sisters. Hindi makakadalo ang mgd kapatid naming babae dahil hindi namin naipaalam agad." Napatingin sa akin si Xandrei. "Hahabol daw ba?"
"Hahabol si Xandrea sa reception."
Tumango si Xandiei. "Good. What about Xandra?"
Umiling ako. "Malabo."
Sunod-sunod na nagsipagdatingan ang mga inimbita ko sa pribadong kasal namin ni Anne.
"Hey, dude. Long time no see!" Nakipag-fist bump si Joey sa akin. Ngisi ang sinalubong ko sa kanya. "I'm glad you didn't forget to invite me here. It has been years. . ."
"Yeah." Nilagay ko ang aking kamay sa bulsa. "I thought you won't come. Ang sabi ng manager mo ay may mall tour ka raw."
Ngumisi siya sa akin. "Not until afternoon. The fans can wait. Can't miss this ,though you missed all my concerts. You should thank me, dude."
Joey became a singer. A sensational one. Who could have thought that he would get fame years after we disbanded? I'm glad he didn't settle with just playing instruments. Ang alam ko ay napabilang muna ulit siya sa isa pang banda bago naging solo artist. Umabot na sa ibang bansa ang kasikatan niya. Dalawang taon na siyang solo artist nang magkita kami ulit at sa DVI pa mismo. He invested. Then, we rebuild the friendship that had been destroyed years ago. He has been sending me ticket on his concerts pero binibigay ko lang kay Xandrea iyon dahil wala akong libreng oras sa tuwing sumasapit ang concert niya.
